[devagral]

Hi Friends, My o/s is windows XP Home SP3 and McAfee Virus Scan V4.5.1 SP1 is installed on my machine as anti virus software, and everything was working OK.
However, since this morning after starting my computer, it loads the screen and then freezes for say 4-5 minutes and then I see a message
"Error: Could not send exclude data to VxD (117)"
Clicking this message enables my machine to function, but ' scanner' is disabled.Upon searching the net, I could ascertain that the problem relates to McAfee anti virus, but could not find a solution to this problem. I hve shut-down and restarted my computer several times , but always with the same result.Restoring back also did not help.

I shall be glad to have any help and advice in this regard. Thanks

[Bichey]

why dont u try reinstalling ??

[devagral]

Thanks Bichey.I've uninstalled it already.I somehow understand that McAfee Virus Scan 4.5.1is meant for windows me and for windows xp requires version 7 or 8.I do'nt know how far correct I am in my assumption.

[BobJam]

As far as I know, McAfee VirusScan version 4.x is WAY old . . . like several years if not more.

Last I checked, about two years ago, they were up to version 8, and I'm sure now they are even further along.

I don't even think version 4 would be able to install the latest scan engine, and therefore it wouldn't even be able to update to the latest definition . . . so it's basically useless anyway.

You could visit the McAfee support forums at http://forums.mcafeehelp.com/index.php and ask the same question . . . but I'm pretty sure my recollection is correct.

Have you been able to update the definitions with 4?

I suspect the message you're getting is because 4 doesn't have the latest scan engine and can't upgrade to it.

You might try uninstalling and then get some free antivirus protection like Avira AntiVir.

[devagral]

Thanks BobJam, till day before yesterday I had updated virus definition ie. dat files successfully and I have been using it for last 3 years.It appears that last update somehow bungled it.I have installed Super Anti Spyware and keeping my fingers crossed.

[BobJam]

Wait a minute . . . wait a minute . . .

You know of course that SUPERAntispyware is NOT an antivirus program. And besides, the free version (I don't know what you have, but I'm assuming it's the free version) does NOT do real time scanning, only on demand scanning (the paid version DOES do real time scanning).

In any case, SUPERantispyware, as I said, is NOT an antivirus program. While it is a good program, better than Spybot or Adaware IMHO, it primarily scans for spyware, NOT virus stuff (well . . . some but not as much as traditional antivirus programs).

If you want to select a free DEDICATED antivirus program, go here and scroll down to the "Anti-Virus" section.

I assume then that you have uninstalled McAfee, because you don't want to have TWO antivirus programs trying to run on your machine . . . if one detects another one on your system, it gets very cranky and can screw things up.

For good security, you should have at least a:

1. Firewall (there are plenty of free ones available that will do better than the one built into windows . . . see that same link I gave above).

2. Anti spyware program (SUPERantispyware, which you apparently now have, is a good one).

3. And last, but not least, a good anti-virus program (for rankings, many use the AV-Comparatives site here).

[devagral]

Hello BobJam, thanks for advice.
I already have Comodo firewall installed.Since you appear to have quite an insight reg. free anti virus programs, I would very much appreciate as to which programe is suitable for a home user.I would prefer waiting until I get your reply.

[BobJam]

I use Avira's AntiVir and have been using it for about the past two years and am very satisfied with it.

BUT . . . and this is a very big BUT . . . choosing an anti-virus is a very personal thing, and it not only depends on how well it works and plays with your own machine, but also how comfortable you are with using it.

You will see a common question on a lot of forums (including this one): "What is the best antivirus?" A lot of people answer that the one they are using is the best. My standard answer for that question is:

It's just a matter of 1) What you're comfortable with, and 2) What "plays well" with the other stuff on your system. Nevertheless, all of them may exhibit some problems. Antivirus programs are notoriously cranky.

The most common bash on McAfee and Norton are that they are resource hogs.

AVG, Avast, and Avira's AntiVir are three that have gained a reputation for not taking up much resources, and they all have good detection capabilities.

As far as virus detection itself, they are all pretty good . . . retail or free, and the ratings that the trade magazines give them are all within a few percentage points, so I don't think any one is a whole lot better than the other (of course, there are a few slackers out there, but if you stay with the brand names and exercise good security best practices, you'll be pretty safe).

Bottom line: As I said, it's mostly a matter of personal preference and what you AND YOUR SYSTEM (Norton is notorious for not playing well with systems) are most comfortable with. No doubt, though, you'll find plenty of people that will bash individual products. (And I think I just bashed Norton there!)

And if you visit Manufacturer forums, just keep in mind that most people come to those forums to complain about problems they've had, so your information from them is going to be skewed. Very few people visit a forum just to say "Atta' boy".

I had McAfee at one time, and had it for about ten years+ and was very satisfied with it. But it began eating too much of my resources, so I switched about two years ago.

I tried AVG, Avast, and Avira AntiVir, and the one that fit my criteria above was Avira AntiVir. BUT . . . that may not be that way for you.

(I have heard recently that the latest version of AVG IS a resource hog and messes up some machines, but I don't use it so I can't say that I have any personal experience with the latest version of AVG).

My point is, what works well for me may not work well for you . . . so try a few . . . ONE AT A TIME OF COURSE.

For example, I had Comodo too (as a firewall, it's NOT an antivirus program . . . I know I said that before, but I just want to make that clear) and liked it a lot BUT it started screwing up my machine. So I switched to Online Armor, and now like it just as much as I liked Comodo and it's much more "friendly" to my machine.

[devagral]

Bobjam, obliged to find you so prompt.Following you I'm going for Avira Antivir.
Further, I would very much appreciate having your e-mail id, so that, with your implied permission, Icould contact you in future also.Thanks

[BobJam]

You can leave me a PM and I'll probably "Munge" ("Mash up 'till no good") my email address there (so the spam harvesters don't find it).

Or, if you need to email me right away, you can just use my profile link here: